Recommendations for exhaust for 540iT - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

firemanory · 17th August 2007, 22:04

I am looking for some help in identifying a good sounding and performing exhaust system for my 03' 540iT. I have the M aero kit on it, and was told that my options for exhaust systems might be limited or I will have to do some custom work. I recently installed the DINAN CAI and will be taking it to BMS to install the software for both the engine and the tranny. My move after that will be the exhaust, so I would like to start researching so that I could try to find one used or just know what I will end up getting and buy new. Any risks to a used exhaust? I know some brands are inexpensive, i.e. Magnaflow, but is there much of a difference in sound and performance compared to a DINAN or another higher end brand? I would have a hard time spending ~700-1000 on an exhaust system if there will be minimal difference between a Magnaflow. I have seen a quad pipe system like the M5 on a wagon, but would that do any good for performance, or is it just for looks? As you can tell, I am new to the whole tuning thing, but want to try and get educated and understand what I am doing and why I am doing it.

If anyone has a wagon here in the OC, CA area, I would love to meet up and see what you got. Mine is pretty clean, almost bone stock, and would like to see what is possible with this cool kid hauling machine. PM me if you like.

H8Rain · 18th August 2007, 02:53

I think the BEST exhaust out there for ANY E39 is an Eisenmann. Sure, it's gonna cost you a hefty dollar, but it's the best sounding/performing exhaust on the market for an E39. This is just my opinion based on personal experience. I traded my single can 540 Eisenmann exhaust for a custom M5 quad Remus exhuast. The main reason..... cost. The Remus was $1K the Eisenmann was $1,8K. If I could do it again (which a just might) I'd have spent the money and gotten the best.... Eisenmann.

nerio02 · 18th August 2007, 03:15

+1

for the 540 i also would go for the eisenmann for sure. a bit expensive but quallity will always pay at the end.

so my vote also goes to eisenmann.

Laidback · 18th August 2007, 03:24

Thaichi808 have the eisenmann quad and they sounded great...pm him and aw/ir0smg they both have one of a kind wagons...415banker is also in your area...

palantirion · 20th August 2007, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemanory

I am looking for some help in identifying a good sounding and performing exhaust system for my 03' 540iT. I have the M aero kit on it, and was told that my options for exhaust systems might be limited or I will have to do some custom work. I recently installed the DINAN CAI and will be taking it to BMS to install the software for both the engine and the tranny. My move after that will be the exhaust, so I would like to start researching so that I could try to find one used or just know what I will end up getting and buy new. Any risks to a used exhaust? I know some brands are inexpensive, i.e. Magnaflow, but is there much of a difference in sound and performance compared to a DINAN or another higher end brand? I would have a hard time spending ~700-1000 on an exhaust system if there will be minimal difference between a Magnaflow. I have seen a quad pipe system like the M5 on a wagon, but would that do any good for performance, or is it just for looks? As you can tell, I am new to the whole tuning thing, but want to try and get educated and understand what I am doing and why I am doing it.

If anyone has a wagon here in the OC, CA area, I would love to meet up and see what you got. Mine is pretty clean, almost bone stock, and would like to see what is possible with this cool kid hauling machine. PM me if you like.

-We've got Dinan's exhaust on our 540iT. I love the way it sounds - mature and growly. PM me if you want to meet, I'm in Orange.

aw/ir02smg · 21st August 2007, 05:29

firemanory,

well - congrats and welcome to a fellow touring owner!

1. earl's dinan exhaust is NOT the one you want if you want something subdued, relatively speaking. it does sound low and awesome, but not the in-your-face kind of sound. you'll barely hear it in the cabin. that is dinan's style by design. i actually have the same one, except i 'lost' the low rumble after my s/c went in. it has since been 'replaced' by what some others have described as a 'sonic boom' kind of sound...not too long ago i had the chance to finally hear for myself what my car sounded like at an easy pace vs wot. 2 very different sounds.

2. thaichi808 (james) does have the eisie quad. the eisie sport is rather similar (to a very novice of an ear that i have) - and there is the eisie race which is markedly louder. either way, BOTH sound great. i am not sure which one james actually has - but do note - the quad is only half-fuctioning - the left is live while the right is a dead one. that was the reason i did not go for it although i was dying to do so, besides the fact that to get a real set of quads would have necessitated some serious banging arounf the spare wheel recessed area in the trunk.

love to get a chance to mee tyou soon. if you don t mind- do sign up also on bimmerfest.com - there is a fairly active community of e39 wagons. we are overdue for a pure wagonfest!!

link here.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

Redshift · 24th August 2007, 04:38

Everyone loves how my 540iT sounds with the Magnaflow. Cost was under $150 installed and it looks factory. I keep getting people asking "Wow, that sounds GREAT, what did you do to that thing?" when I pass by. It's actually louder than my M5, but nice and deep with an exotic growl. Pretty quiet during normal cruising.

Here's my post about them:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=195788

firemanory · 24th August 2007, 06:18

aw/ir02smg

Where are you located. I am off Santiago Canyon right next to Cooks Corner. Lets try to meet sometime....Would love to see the kid hauler!

Redshift

Did you notice any performance gains??? I am torn between a Dinan, Eisennman, and a Magnaflow, and each has their own traits that I like. Magnaflow mainly because of price and it seems to sound decent. Dinan because it is well engineered, Carb certified and is a Dinan, and Eisennman because it seems to have the most gain in performance and has a nasty sound to it. I am very partial to sound, so that will ultimately be the deciding factor. Do you have any audio clips of your wagon you could send???

firemanory · 24th August 2007, 06:44

Just saw this thread in Bimmerfest. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=212279

Anyone have any thoughts on the Supersprint???

1mpowerme · 25th August 2007, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redshift

Everyone loves how my 540iT sounds with the Magnaflow. Cost was under $150 installed and it looks factory. I keep getting people asking "Wow, that sounds GREAT, what did you do to that thing?" when I pass by. It's actually louder than my M5, but nice and deep with an exotic growl. Pretty quiet during normal cruising.

This is probably the way I would go but do a single tip rather than dual. For some reason I prefer the look of one larger tip on the 540iT that has a single muffler.

The M5 can have the dual exhaust with dual exhaust tips on each side.

I love the sound of the Dinan as well and was able to ride in Palantirion's car. A lot more expense though.

A big hello from another 540iT owner!

Redshift · 25th August 2007, 03:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemanory

aw/ir02smg

Where are you located. I am off Santiago Canyon right next to Cooks Corner. Lets try to meet sometime....Would love to see the kid hauler!

Redshift

Did you notice any performance gains??? I am torn between a Dinan, Eisennman, and a Magnaflow, and each has their own traits that I like. Magnaflow mainly because of price and it seems to sound decent. Dinan because it is well engineered, Carb certified and is a Dinan, and Eisennman because it seems to have the most gain in performance and has a nasty sound to it. I am very partial to sound, so that will ultimately be the deciding factor. Do you have any audio clips of your wagon you could send???

I would say its hard to tell. I felt a difference with the CAI and Dinan software, but when the exhaust went on it was hard to say. Once the muffler broke in I just loved the sound. I do not have a way to get any exhaust sound clips or I'd do it for you.